Your Civil Rights Are Non-Optional

When Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was introduced, the law prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance. Simply stated, all persons must be treated equally without regard to their race, color, or national origin. People may not be excluded from participating in, denied the benefits of, or discriminated against when they participate in American society – from voting to employment. Federal civil rights protections attempt to guarantee the equal treatment and citizenship for people who have been traditionally discriminated against based on a group characteristic – otherwise known as a “protected class.” Other federal civil rights laws also are sources of protection, including 42 U.S.C. Section 1981 (which prevents discriminatory treatment, public or private, in contracting) and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (which holds public employees accountable —often police — acting under color of state law). California has civil rights protections as well, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act which punishes discrimination in public accommodations.

Though the United States was not the first to experience a national civil rights movement, the impacts and scale of the movement in the 50s and 60s influenced other civil rights movements around the globe, inspiring the Roman Catholic-led civil rights movement in Northern Ireland and the end of the South African system of racial segregation.

McCune Law Group recognizes and honors that proud heritage and has specialized in fighting for the rights of those who have been disadvantaged or systemically oppressed.

Civil Rights Violations Still Exist Today

Although immense strides were made since the 50s in protecting Americans from the violation of their basic rights, some entities view civil rights protections as an obstacle to greater profits, more efficiency, or, most insidiously, “perfect” aesthetics. Some of the most common current civil rights issues include:

• LGBTQ+ employment discrimination
• Human trafficking
• Police brutality
• Disability discrimination in the workplace
• Pregnancy discrimination
• Weight bias

Legal measures that have been taken to help protect people from discrimination due to race, religion, orientation, sex, etc. But new focus on emerging classes of people and how their experiences are impacted by their personal traits have reignited the need for honest, dedicated representation against large corporations or entities that seek to violate their civil rights. McCune Law Group aims to identify classes that have not historically been protected and empower them to seek restitution.

Advocating for Those Who Are Living Their Truth

Various rulings by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) extend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition on sex discrimination to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Although there are discrimination laws in place to protect general civil rights, there is still a lack of legislation protecting sexual orientation and gender identity. Violations of civil rights today may include:

• Landlords refusing to rent to you based on gender identity or sexual orientation
• Discrimination in school based on sexual orientation or gender identity
• Employer discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity

Any of these scenarios and more can happen on a day-to-day basis, but it doesn’t have to be the norm. The legal landscape for civil rights and the LGBTQ community is constantly evolving.

Fighting Against Discrimination of Race, Religion, & Ethnicity

Even though discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity is illegal, it unfortunately does not stop some bad actors from implementing discriminatory policies. Some forms of discrimination based on race, religion, or ethnicity can be subtle, such as an employer or credit provider adopting policies that cause unjustified harm to people of a particular race, ethnicity, or religion.

You can experience discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity at work, at schools and colleges, and even in the housing market. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you should gather all documents that will support your claim, write a timeline of the events that occurred, and submit a complaint to the appropriate authorities. McCune Law Group understands speaking out against an employer or school can be frightening, but you can trust that protection from retaliation is yet another one of your liberties codified under the law.

McCune Law Group Fights for Civil Rights for All

At MLG, we are no stranger when it comes to defending our clients from injustices, unfair practices, and discrimination. The Racial & Economic Justice attorneys at McCune Law Group are devoted to righting wrongs in civil rights matters. With more than 30 years of experience and over $1 billion recovered for our clients, our firm has become nationally recognized for protecting our clients against any discriminatory practices that violate your civil rights. Partners Joe L. Richardson and Elaine S. Kusel are dedicated to holding discriminatory systems accountable and attaining justice for all Americans, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Contact our team of award-winning attorneys today for a free consultation of your potential case.